Characterization of sorghum germplasm for various morphological and fodder yield parameters

This study was performed to evaluate and characterize 24 sorghum accessions for various morphological and fodder yield parameters. The germplasm displayed considerable variability for leaf color, midrib color, panicle shape, days to 50% flowering, leaf area, flag leaf area, plant height and green fodder yield, while differences of smaller magnitude were observed for number of leaves and tillers plant-1. Genotype Fsd -sorghum was mature early with minimum days to maturity (63) while maximum plant height (232 cm) was observed for Acc.1692. Moreover, Acc.1827 exhibited maximum leaf area (447 cm2) and the highest green fodder yield at 50% maturity (58 t ha-1) was recorded for Acc. 1763. The results of this study indicate that significant genetic diversity exists among the sorghum accessions. The genetic potential of Fsd-sorghum, accessions 1692, 1827 and 1763 can be exploited in future sorghum breeding programs. Further, these genotypes are recommended for commercial cultivation to meet the fodder needs of the country.Keywords: Fodder, Sorghum bicolor, accession

Non-Local Deformation of a Supersymmetric Field Theory

In this paper, we will analyse a supersymmetric field theory deformed by generalized uncertainty principle and Lifshitz scaling. It will be observed that this deformed supersymmetric field theory contains non-local fractional derivative terms. In order to construct such deformed N=1 supersymmetric theory, a harmonic extension of functions will be used. However, the supersymmetry will be only preserved for a free theory and will be broken by the inclusion of interaction terms.Comment: 12 pages, pulished versio

Adaptive Backstepping Integral Sliding Mode Control for 5DOF Barge-Type OFWT under Output Constraint

This article presents a new control solution for a dynamical model of a translational oscillator with a rotational actuator (TORA) based on multi-body dynamics for a barge-type offshore floating wind turbine (OFWT). TORA has been employed as an active structural control strategy. The solution of bounding the output movements of platform pitch and tower bending angle to a certain limit, along with mitigating the OFWT vibrations due to environmental disturbances and uncertainties, is presented in this novel control framework. This new control algorithm consists of a high-gain observer (HGO)-based adaptive backstepping integral sliding mode control (ISMC) and a barrier Lyapunov function (BLF). This guarantees satisfying the constraints on the states and effectively resolves the problem of the unavailability of the system states. The proposed control law based on the BLF has been compared with an adaptive backstepping ISMC to show the efficiency of the output-constraint control scheme. Through MATLAB/SIMULINK numerical simulations and their numeric error table, the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme has been examined. The results confirm the validity and efficiency of the proposed control approaches

Mandibular Reconstruction with Free Fibula Flap: Experience at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar

Background: Mandibular defects may result from trauma, infections, cancer ablation or radiation necrosis. These defects may vary according to the content and nature of the tissues that require reconstruction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of vascularised free fibula flap for mandibular reconstruction in terms of flap success rate and complications.Material and Methods: This prospective clinical study was carried out at Department of Plastic Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from January 2014 to December 2018. The study included patients of either gender who underwent mandibular reconstruction with free fibula oseteocutaneous flap during the study period. Diabetic patients with underlying vascular pathologies and cachectic patients were excluded from the study.Results: There were 56 patients with 38 males and 18 females. Their age ranged from 24-66 years with a mean age of 36 years. The mandibular defects resulted from various etiologies and included: Squamous cell carcinoma (n=27, 48.21%), Giant cell granuloma (n=3; 5.35%), Ameloblastoma (n=2; 3.57%), Road traffic accidents (n=10; 17.85%), Firearm injury (n=9; 16%), Bomb blast injury (n=3; 5.35%) and osteoradionecrosis (n=2; 3.57%). Primary reconstruction of the mandibular defects was performed in 44 patients, whereas delayed reconstruction was performed in 12 patients. Out of the 56 flaps, 49 flaps survived completely. Our share of complications was as follows: Wound infections (n=13; 23.21%), Skin graft loss at donor site (n=5; 8.95%), Complete flap loss (n=4; 7.14%), Orocutaneous fistulae (n=3; 5.35%), Ankle instability (n=2; 3.57%), Skin paddle necrosis (n=1; 1.78%) and sensory deficit distal to donor site (n=1; 1.78%).Conclusions: Microvascular free fibula is a reliable tool for mandibular reconstruction following tumor resection or trauma. The flap has a high success rate and relatively fewer complications

Knowledge, Cause and Level of Acceptance of Interest among Muslims in Balochistan

Islam is not just a religion but a life’s complete code – presents economic, social and political systems of its own to guide human in all aspects of life – thus has prohibited interest which is the exploitation to the people and acting like a curse for the whole humanity – due to interest rich is getting richer and poor is getting poorer – affects the borrower and the lender alike. There is no research that throws light on the knowledge, cause and level of acceptance of interest among Muslims; this study thus evaluates the same. The sample size of 100 respondents was chosen to give their opinions against the questionnaire regarding to the issue in stratified sampling of the Muslims living in Quetta, Balochistan. The results clearly indicated that Muslims do have knowledge of prohibition of interest in Islam. The cause behind the acceptance of interest is relying on conventional economic system, being modern and selfish, return on deposits, credit facilities, assurance of guaranteed profit, the risk on investment and time value consideration of money. In order to help in reduction of the level of acceptance of interest the effective corporate governance and the highly ethical economic system are needed to be well-regulated with transparency to guide social lives with the compliance of main tenets of Shariah

Factors affecting Pakistan’s university students’ purchase intention towards foreign apparel brands

This paper aims to study factors affecting Pakistan’s university students’ purchase intention towards foreign apparel brands. Purchase intention is explained in terms of general consumer variables (normative influence,consumer confidence) and brand specific variables (perceived quality, emotional value). The sample comprised of students enrolled at two universities in major cities of Pakistan (Islamabad & Rawalpindi), with 315 participants completing the self-administered questionnaire during scheduled classes. Results reveal that susceptibility to normative influence and consumer confidence had positive impact on brand consciousness. Brand consciousness had positive impact on perceived quality of international apparel brands & emotional value thatthese brands generate. Both quality and emotional value had significant impact on purchase intention. The findings of this paper cannot be generalized to other consumer products, or other segments of society, such as children, professionals. However, results reveal that foreign apparel brands need to focus on quality andtheir brand’s emotional attributes if they want to succeed in Pakistan’s apparel market

Knowledge, Cause and Level of Acceptance of Interest among Muslims in Balochistan

Islam is not just a religion but a life’s complete code – presents economic, social and political systems of its own to guide human in all aspects of life – thus has prohibited interest which is the exploitation to the people and acting like a curse for the whole humanity – due to interest rich is getting richer and poor is getting poorer – affects the borrower and the lender alike. There is no research that throws light on the knowledge, cause and level of acceptance of interest among Muslims; this study thus evaluates the same. The sample size of 100 respondents was chosen to give their opinions against the questionnaire regarding to the issue in stratified sampling of the Muslims living in Quetta, Balochistan. The results clearly indicated that Muslims do have knowledge of prohibition of interest in Islam. The cause behind the acceptance of interest is relying on conventional economic system, being modern and selfish, return on deposits, credit facilities, assurance of guaranteed profit, the risk on investment and time value consideration of money. In order to help in reduction of the level of acceptance of interest the effective corporate governance and the highly ethical economic system are needed to be well-regulated with transparency to guide social lives with the compliance of main tenets of Shariah

The contribution of NGOs to the cultural diversity: the case of Balochistan

An NGO- though not a permissible term- is a nongovernmental organization or an association made for the welfare of society as a charitable trust, non-profit corporation, foundation or other common person who is a part of governmental sector. NGOs have played a considerably important role in the development of countries and 60% developing countries obtain their aid through NGOs. In Balochistan the NGOs have been actively engaged in regional, local, national and international matters with government and business since their beginning. Therefore, over time the NGOs are often said to have shifted the cultural diversity of the province in some ways or the others either directly or indirectly through their operations, struggles and improved understanding of societies. In this study we have discussed the impact of NGOs and their limits in the province which is a critical part and an opportunistic state of Pakistan, Balochistan

The implication of the value added tax in Pakistan: administration, experiences and fears

Since its first imposition in France, the value added taxation has become so popular that except USA there is no other country left that does not have VAT in use. Pakistan has fulfilled its international obligation to replace its sales tax with VAT by the year 2010. This paper examines the available literature and reflects as to how successfully the country has implemented the new taxation, what has it experienced in its efforts in the replacement of sales tax and the fear relating to VAT that still remain unaddressed. It was found that the country has, as a whole, very successfully implemented the new taxation in terms of economic gains and costs to the government. Nonetheless, it is feared that the social aspects relating thereto are altogether ignored and thus this replacement is not socially optimal

The contribution of NGOs to the cultural diversity: the case of Balochistan

An NGO- though not a permissible term- is a nongovernmental organization or an association made for the welfare of society as a charitable trust, non-profit corporation, foundation or other common person who is a part of governmental sector. NGOs have played a considerably important role in the development of countries and 60% developing countries obtain their aid through NGOs. In Balochistan the NGOs have been actively engaged in regional, local, national and international matters with government and business since their beginning. Therefore, over time the NGOs are often said to have shifted the cultural diversity of the province in some ways or the others either directly or indirectly through their operations, struggles and improved understanding of societies. In this study we have discussed the impact of NGOs and their limits in the province which is a critical part and an opportunistic state of Pakistan, Balochistan